NEWS

​On Wednesday, August 31st, BP Oddo joined with artist and creative patriot “Citizen” Scott LoBaido to take matters into their own hands in the continuing Borough Hall American flag saga. They unveiled the temporary solution to the problem by hanging a large flag on the Richmond Terrace side of the building.The issue began when BP Oddo noticed that the flag above Borough Hall was missing over Memorial Day Weekend. The Department of City Administrative Services (DCAS), who owns the building, said that the flag was removed because the pole was broken. Roof repairs needed to be done before the flagpole could be replaced.

Due to the long and complicated City procedure to hire a company to do the work, it appeared that it would be months before “Old Glory” flew again at Borough Hall. Luckily, Scott LoBaido stepped in with an idea to display the flag in the meantime.

“This is a DIY moment. If you want something done, you’ve got to do it yourself,” BP Oddo said. “The bureaucratic red tape that keeps us from getting the flagpole fixed in a timely fashion illustrates the kinds of hurdles we must clear every day on so many other matters—matters that impact the lives of Staten Islanders to a much greater extent.”

On Wednesday, August 31st, Teddy Atlas stopped by Borough Hall to pick up the school supplies our office collected for the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation. The drive collected nearly 50 backpacks and hundreds of school supplies. ​“Thanks to all who donated for your generosity,” noted BP Oddo, “Special thanks to our neighbors in the courts, who also participated in the drive.”

The bags and supplies will go to help families across Staten Island who are served by the Atlas Foundation.

On Wednesday, August 31st, BP Oddo announced his opposition to a proposed project at the intersection of Van Duzer Street and Broad Street. He urged the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to reject the proposed variance that would allow the project to move forward.The area in question is zoned for one-family detached homes, but the proposal calls for three townhouses at this “T” intersection at the foot of Broad Street. What makes this proposal particularly egregious is that cars parked on the driveways of these homes would be forced to drive through the pedestrian crosswalk only to then enter directly into the signalized intersection of Van Duzer and Broad.Despite the well-known admonition, “Don’t Block the Box,” those who buy these homes will have to blindly back into it, and cars entering the intersection from the driveways won’t have a traffic signal and won’t be able to see the existing traffic light which faces oncoming traffic from Van Duzer and Broad.The Department of Transportation has approved the project, and the developers will now go to the BSA to seek a variance."This is the kind of development that, after it's built, Staten Islanders see it and say, 'How did they allow it to happen?'" noted BP Oddo. "This will be a dangerous situation for pedestrians, for motorists who traverse this corridor, for the very people who buy those houses who try to get in and out of their misplaced and ill designed driveways."

BP Oddo has previously written letters opposing the project to DOT and the BSA.

Last week, BP Oddo and staffer Chris DeCicco took the #22PushupChallenge to raise awareness of the mental health challenges veterans face. On average, 22 veterans in the U.S. take their lives every day. The goal of this challenge is to show veterans that we support them and understand the difficulties they face after they return home. If you are a veteran going through this, know that you are not alone and that there is help available to you.

On Saturday, August 20th, BP Oddo hosted hometown legends Vito Picone and the Elegants at “Home Sweet Home,” a concert at Midland Beach. The group performed their hit song “Little Star” as well as other famous doo-wop tunes. Local performers Lina Fiscardi and the Expressions were the opening acts.Over 1,000 people attended the free concert, which was followed by fireworks.“We’re always thrilled to welcome Vito and the band back to the beach,” noted BP Oddo.The event was sponsored by BP Oddo and Council Members Borelli, Matteo and Rose.

On Wednesday, August 17th, BP Oddo and Council Member Matteo announced a legislative package that will tackle the issue of utility cuts into newly paved streets. This package is in response to recent instances where streets that were recently paved under our “Pave, Baby, Pave” initiative have been cut into by utilities soon after the resurfacing was completed.The legislation includes a notification bill so that our office, as well as the local Council Member, is made aware of permit applications for cutting into streets before the work takes place. The goal is to increase communications between agencies and government officials, so more repair work can be done while roads are milled. Two other bills that are part of the package will increase the standard of curb-to-curb resurfacing after street cuts are made on recently paved streets, will create the same standard whenever multiple cuts are made in close proximity, and will remove discretion on the part of city agencies to waive the repaving requirement. "We're resurfacing at a record rate. You can't have all of that good work undercut by utility companies, by other city agencies and by builders," noted BP Oddo. “Simply put, the rules of the game have to change.”"The resurfacing crews are out and doing a great job, but there's nothing more frustrating than having a newly-paved street and seeing a utility cut that can ruin it," Council Member Matteo said.This fiscal year, over 200 lane miles will be paved in our borough.

On Tuesday, August 16, BP Oddo joined with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and New York City Health + Hospitals to announce plans for the new Sea View Healthy Community. The project will be constructed on the site of the old Sea View Hospital campus, which was built over a hundred years ago to treat those with tuberculosis. It ceased operations in the 1950s.The Sea View Healthy Community will offer medical offices, retail spaces, housing, and community facilities including plazas and bike trails across its 90 acres. The facility will focus on addressing the needs of senior citizens and children with special needs.Later this year, NYCEDC will issue a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI), which will seek community proposals for the development of the site.“Today marks a tangible step forward and demonstrable proof that we have moved from what was once merely a vision crafted when I got to Borough Hall in 2014 to a priority project for the de Blasio Administration,” noted BP Oddo. “This community of care is going to happen, and Staten Island will be a much healthier place because if it,”The community will be the first health-focused, mixed-use development in the country.

On Monday, August 15th, BP Oddo hosted a Lyme Disease Awareness Forum, which was co-hosted with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The goal of the forum was to raise public awareness on the dangers of Lyme Disease in response to the increasing numbers of black-legged ticks and white-tailed deer on the Island. Experts in Lyme Disease and tick biology presented a wide range of facts that residents should know, from how to safely remove a tick to the latest efforts on improved testing for Lyme. T

here were 89 new cases of Lyme Disease reported on Staten Island in 2015, with many more cases unreported to the DOH. In addition, 24 Staten Islanders reported to have “not traveled” outside NYC during the time of infection, providing the first real evidence that the infected tick bite occurred locally.

“We should all be aware of how to protect ourselves from ticks. They are here and they are infecting Staten Islanders,” noted BP Oddo.The New York City Urban Park Rangers, New York State Parks, The State DEC and the Staten Island Museum also participated. Over 150 Staten Islanders attended the forum.